Our Speaker's BIOs

Angela Bains, President
CA Design Group Inc.
As co-founder and one of two partners of CA Design Group Inc., Angela Bains brings over 24 years of experience in design and communications to her role as brand strategist. Angela has extensive experience in branding and has worked on design and brand strategy for Marks & Spencer and British Home Stores in London, England as well as Swatch, Bootlegger and BC Liquor Stores in Canada. Angela also taught typography and graphic design at the London College of Printing, in London, England. Her expertise, talent and skill set is built on a solid international foundation and has earned Angela a world-class reputation for branding, design, communication, project and print management.

Angela’s company CA Design Group, has now developed an affordable brand program for small businesses and work as brand consultants with small businesses to develop their brand. Asked why, Angela says, “This is an incredible way for us to share our expertise and give back to our community” When not working (or thinking about work) Angela enjoys spending time with her family and their incredibly cute Labradoodle, London. She is also an avid soccer fan.

Seminar: Branding From the Outside In

Pino L. Bacinello
Sunbelt Business Brokers Pacific Inc.
Pino Bacinello is President and founder of Sunbelt Business Brokers Pacific Inc., Pacific Mergers & Acquisitions Inc., is a Certified Business Intermediary under the International Business Brokers Association, a Mergers and Acquisitions Master Intermediary under M&A Source, a Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser, and a Certified Senior Business Analyst. Over the past 30 years he has garnered much knowledge and expertise in buying, selling, developing and restructuring of businesses, including all financial requirements. Pino Lives in Vancouver and is a member of the International Business Brokers Association, where he serves on the board of directors, chair of the International committee and a certified instructor, an active member of M&A Source, a founding member of the IBBA Canada , a member of the National Equipment and Business Brokers Institute, the Association for Corporate Growth, a licensed BC realtor, a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade and various other Boards and Chambers throughout the Greater Vancouver Area.

Seminar: Buying a Business , Selling a Business and The Life Cycle of Your Business

Dean Barbour – Executive Director
Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows
Dean Barbour is a business professional with an entrepreneur's flair for sales, a marketers “outside of the box” creativity, and an 18 year proven track record in business research, start-up, implementation and growth. Over the years, he has created marketing campaigns for Sunkist and Ready Pac (packaged salad), facilitated sales meetings at Hamburger University (McDonalds) and in Bentonville, Arkansas (Walmart), and completed successful contracts with Indigenous Business Network, the Great Canadian Gaming, and most recently a four year term as program manager for Westcoast Community Enterprise, one of the regions more successful self employment programs. Dean has gone full circle and returned to his hometown of Maple Ridge in 2008, where he is now the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows. Dean is an accomplished speaker and presenter, and his positive, straight forward, and motivational approach has earned him rave reviews from attendees and participants in both Canada and the US.

Seminar: Perfect Your Pitch

 Flavio Caron, Educator
Flavio’s life has been immersed in all aspects of entrepreneurship, through the operation of many businesses to the training of others to succeed in their ventures. As a speaker and trainer, Flavio has contributed to the successes of thousands of businesses through his dedication to passion, planning and persistence.  Relationship building is the cornerstone to his business philosophy. Flavio has extensive knowledge of 2010 procurement strategies and opportunities and is especially pleased and proud to work for and with RBC in delivering the ‘Demystifying the RFP’ series of workshops.Flavio is currently contracted with every level of organization to deliver training and support for various economic developments.  As a First Nations entrepreneur, an Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce is his next major priority.

Seminars: Demystify the RFP Bid Process

 Maureen Cureton, Green Business Manager
Business Banking, Vancity
Maureen began her career working with an organic recycling company. Today she brings her commitment to sustainability to her work as Green Business Manager with Vancity’s Social Finance division and to the advisory services she provides to Vancity’s small business members. Maureen also holds an Associate Faculty position with Royal Roads University, teaching Sustainability in the MBA program. She also designs and teaches courses and workshops for Thompson Rivers University and other institutions. She co-authored three books including Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate Development, and was a project manager at Rocky Mountain Institute—world renowned for research and consulting in support of natural capitalism and sustainable development. Her education includes an undergraduate in Environmental Management and an MBA.

Seminars: Greening Your Small Business

 Bret Conkin, FundFindr Founder and CEO
FundFindr
Bret Conkin is an entrepreneur – a branding and growth expert that has guided brands from Crest Toothpaste to Lotto 6/49 to software start-ups.  His clients have included Roots, HBC, GNC and even Rodney Dangerfield – who Bret ensured got a little respect.  Bret is founder and CEO of Fundfindr Media Inc., a social media company featuring: fundfindr.com, a professional network connecting entrepreneurs, investors and services and fundfindr.TV, a business event video production service and media channel for entrepreneurship.

Seminars: Non Traditional Funding Sources for Small Business and Social Media Leveraging Your Business Opportunities

 Cathy Delaney, Regional Director - British Columbia
CYBF
Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), a national charity providing start-up mentoring, financing and business resources for young Canadians, age 18-34, to create their own successful businesses.

Seminars: Financial Resources for Your Small Business

Bridget Field, Client Services Coordinator
Small Business BC
Bridget Field is a graduate of the UBC Sales and Marketing Management Executives Program and has many years experience in Retail Management, Sales and Marketing. She is involved in all aspects of business start-up and business plan consulting. Bridget shares her expertise with clients at Small Business BC as well as teaching business courses for local community colleges.

Seminars: Start Smart 1 and  Are You an Entrepreneur?

Ken Flanders, General Manager
New Business Navigators
With over 40 years of sales and marketing experience, Ken’s ability to gain the confidence of clients, management, and support teams shows in the success of his client’s sales. As the General Manager for Business Navigators, Ken continues to work with local an international business to discover their potential in the market place.

Ken began developing his sales & marketing skills at Xerox Canada Inc. Here he learned the top sales strategies and the importance of coordinating sales and marketing efforts. Then, over the following years he spent time at The T. Eaton Company, Center for Business Development and Training Programs, University of the Fraser Valley, UniFirst Canada Inc., infoCANADA Inc., and several other international companies. This path built incredible skill sets and led to increased business and revenue responsibilities. 

Seminar: Idea to Venture - Analyzing Your Business Idea and The Power of Distribution

Gail Hulnick, Public Speaker, Writer, and Consultant
Windword Communications
Gail Hulnick is a communications consultant, former broadcaster, and director of WindWord Communications. Prior to establishing her company in 1997, she was on the air for 20 years, hosting radio programs and reporting television news. She has conducted thousands of interviews with leaders, newsmakers and entrepreneurs in industry, entertainment, and politics. Her background also includes an MBA, an MA in Journalism, and courses in print production, publishing, investing, and financial planning.

Seminar: Advertising Your Small Business and Getting Your Story Told: Making the Most of Media Opportunities

Seminar: Practical Tools for Managing Cash Flow in a Global Environment

Seminar: Getting Incorporated: Essential Steps and Legal Tips You Need to Know

 John Johnstone
Office of Small Medium Enterprises
John Johnstone BComm; Chief Stakeholder Engagement
Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Works and Government Services Canada. John is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University, Bachelor of Commerce, Corporate Finance and has 10 years of experience with the federal government in four departments. During this time John gained both ground level experience as a Coast Guard Officer and regulatory and policy development experience with Transport Canada.  Bringing these experiences together, now with Public Works, John is a key contact for small and medium-sized businesses that want to supply goods and services to the federal government.  John provides information on how to navigate the federal procurement system through a variety of seminars as well as follow up sessions with individual businesses to help ensure a fair and transparent federal procurement system.

Seminar: How To Do Business With the Federal Government and MERX: The Government Electronic Tendering Service

Miranda Lee, Information Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers.  Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. It works on a number of fronts to increase public understanding of home, car and business insurance.


Seminar: Protecting Yourself & Your Business

 Gabrielle Loren - Loren, Nancke & Company
Gabrielle Loren is a Certified General Accountant and partner with Loren, Nancke & Company. She obtained her designation after completing the experience portion of her designation with Revenue Canada Taxation. She was employed by the tax department for 8 years; 4 of which were completed in the audit division. During her term in the Audit Division she was fortunate to be assigned to audit a variety of small businesses, which gave her the necessary experience for her next career move. Gabrielle started as a home based accounting practice in 1989 with a handful of clients in varying industries. Over the past 20 years this client base has grown in both size and industries and evolved into Loren & Company in 1997 and then to Loren, Nancke & Company in 2007.  Her first employee became a partner in 2003 and now the firm of consists of 16 individuals.

Seminar: Tax Tips From An Accountant and Moving from a Proprietorship to Corporation - Tax Tips

Betty MacLeod, Vice President, Olympic Business Development
 RBC Royal Bank
Betty has over 25 years of extensive business banking experience.  She was previously Manager, Small Business & Healthcare Professionals for Vancouver and prior to that Manager, Business Banking in the Surrey/White Rock market.Betty also provides complimentary strategic business consulting services to companies helping them plan for success and look for ways to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will bring.

Seminar: Is Your Business 2010 Ready?

Cori Maedel, CHRP and MBA
Jouta Performance Group
Cori’s diverse professional experience in Human Resources (HR) and Business Development has benefitted many business owners with consistency, strategy and development. She takes the often overwhelming subject of HR and delivers practical and realistic tools for the business owner to implement from legal compliance, to recruiting and retention, to development and training. Throughout her career Cori has been able to assist employees, colleagues and senior executives alike to reach their individual and corporate goals and greatest potential. Cori’s career has come full circle as the founder of the Jouta Performance Group.

Seminar: Human Resources

 Dr. Ian Marshal, Business Consultant
Marshall, Schulte & Associates Ltd.
Ian Marshall is an entrepreneurial development specialist. With over 15 years of independent business consulting experience Ian provides his client base with a holistic approach to business development and growth. He guides clients through a defined process to achieve strategic business plans; encompassing business philosophy, marketing, operations, and finance. Ian’s experience comes from not only many years in the corporate world holding positions such as National Marketing Manager, General Manager and Managing Director, but Ian has owned several companies and understands the pitfalls that many entrepreneurs face in the day to day operations of their businesses. Ian is co-owner of Marshall, Schulte & Associates Ltd. a business consulting practice with a focus on the development of entrepreneurs and co-owner of Vancouver Consultants, a subscription based marketing organization for independent consultants and consulting firms. Ian holds a DBA from Fairfax University, Louisiana USA.

Seminar:  Running a Consulting Business

Dianne Mueller, CPB, SACC
Soma Small Business Solutions
For over ten years now Dianne has been helping small business entrepreneurs keep their financial position up front and central in their business. As she says, “Financial Statements are the life blood of your business. They provide management information that should be used to guide your business to the next level”.  Her company, Soma Small Business Solutions, has earned a reputation of being a reliable, committed and a knowledgeable bookkeeping source for small business owners.  Drawing on 20 years of small business ownership experience she provides practical real world solutions to your day to day business operations. Her prior achievements include building a successful millwork shop with her husband; recipient of the New Canadian Manufacturers Award of the Year from the Business Development Bank. She is the North Shores first certified professional bookkeeper (CPB) by The Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada Association. Dianne is also a certified Simply Accounting consultant and a certified Sage trainer providing training and consulting in that software.  

Seminar: My First Year in Business – A Financial Overview and Managing Your Balance Sheet

Seminar: Ready to Import?

 Isabelle Mercier, Catalyst
Leap Zone Strategies
As a catalyst for change and a business and branding performance coach at LeapZone Strategies, Isabelle's sole purpose is to empower growth. "Momentum Generator" is her middle name and she has a relentless passion for helping entrepreneurs and business leaders clarify, articulate and reach their version of massive success through winning business strategies, performance coaching and brand alignment. For over 12 years, Isabelle co-owned and operated an award winning creative firm that helped companies raise their business standards and re-define their industries through outstanding business growth strategies and forward thinking communication tools.
With continually increasing hands-on experience in business growth since 1996, Isabelle is determined to help entrepreneurs catapult their way to massive success regardless of economic times.

Seminar:

Conny Millard, Millard Consulting Group
MCG Inc.
An international Sales & Marketing Executive with many years of multicultural business management experience, Conny Millard is a business adviser specializing in working with entrepreneurial women to establish and grow thriving companies within their chosen industries. Conny’s sound expertise and business acumen was developed through a variety of corporate management positions some within the IT industry and with a formal marketing qualification, she remains a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Her entrepreneurial spirit helped her to establish three successful companies growing them year on year. Her extensive sales and marketing background coupled with her international flair for business are a guaranteed mix for her clients business success. Her areas of expertise are, Business Analysis, Business Planning, Business development & sales strategy, Direct & indirect sales channels, Competitive analysis & strategy, Customer Relationship Management, Key Account Acquisition & Retention

Seminar: The Entrepreneurial Mom - Running a Small Business

 Brian E. Rudy (B.Sc. McGill 1989, LL.B. UBC 1994) is  Vancouver lawyer who practices corporate commercial law, with a focus on privately-held corporations and entrepreneurs.  His law firm, Synergy Business Lawyers, assists clients at all stages of the business cycle. Brian focuses on mergers and acquisitions, technology licensing, distribution and franchising channels, internet and software law, corporate governance, private equity financing, employment law, commercial leasing,  business work permits and other legal matters that arise in the course of his client's business operations. 

Seminar: Legal Tips for Your Small Business

 Dave Schulte,  Vancouver Consultants
Dave diverse background as an international business consultant and educator inspired him to cofound Vancouver Consultants, a membership organization with a mandate to provide the best vehicle to connect independent professional consultants to the market in order to facilitate and enhance opportunities for both.

Seminar: Running a Consulting Business

 Jess Sloss, Social Entrepreneur
Social Squared
Jess Sloss is a Social Entrepreneur based in Vancouver Canada. As lead strategist at Giant Ant Media, Jess spear heads social media strategy and implementation for Giant Ant Media’s diverse group of clients. Holding a B.BA in marketing, Jess focuses on the business impact of social media, ensuring your business is making smart choices and real business impact. Jess writes regularly on social media and marketing at www.socialsquared.com

Seminar: Social Media: Small Business Opportunities

 Patrick Tam, Senior Market Manager at TELUS
Telus
Patrick's background in the telecommunications industry spans IT, Project Management, Campaign Management, Database Marketing and Small Business Marketing.  Prior to TELUS, he held various project, business, teaching and research positions at the Stentor Alliance of Telecommunications Companies, BC TEL, IBM, Northern Telecom, and Simon Fraser University.  Patrick is an active associate member of Retail BC and proud supporter of Small Business BC’s activities and events, including the Annual Business Plan Contest.  He is also involved in a number of volunteer activities including fundraising for the Dr Peter Centre and serving as President of Vancouver Front Runners.

Seminar:

Fiona Walsh, CEO and Founder
FM Walsh & Associates Inc
Fiona Walsh has repeatedly taken on new or underperforming product markets and turned them around, growing them from start up to multi-million dollar accounts in record time. Between working new markets and securing existing ones, Fiona has developed systems that take the guesswork out of business development success. With years “in the trenches” and having successfully broken through very difficult market environments, Fiona is an expert at the science of effectively closing deals, uncovering individual challenges with the business development process, and pinpointing the issues that are limiting success. She has an uncanny ability to hone in on the underlying issues and deliver practical and insightful solutions that have immediate impact on revenue, profitability and success.

Seminar:  Sales and Marketing for Small Business and Business Development Strategies

Heather White, Firestarter
2020 Communications Inc.
Heather works with professionals from a wide range of industries in understanding communications in a business setting, developing personal and professional goals, and creating the work environment that supports both them and the organizational objectives of their company they work for. Heather cut her teeth as a Business Developer for one of the largest Food Service Distributors in North America. Managing a product list of over 15,000 items and managing a clientele almost as diverse, she grew the sales in her territory by 700% during her four years of service. 2020 Communications helps clients with strategic planning, business development, sales systems and work/life balance.

Seminar:  Understanding Gen Y

 Chet Woodside
eBusiness Consultant - eBC
Passionate about good design and aesthetics, Chet draws upon his extensive experience as a Media Designer for a wide range of organizations including Unifiller Systems, Ineractivetools, Bidclix Advertising, and Electronic Arts Canada. Chet’s varied background in web development, media design, and post production will provided a great foundation for his current role with eBC, and with more than a decade of web design experience he adds a vital component to its resource offerings. Chet is recently married and enjoys snowboarding, surfing, an any other activities that involve the outdoors.

Seminars: eBusiness and eCommerce

Patti Wotherspoon, Information Specialist
www.infoaction.ca
Patti Wotherspoon has been an Information Specialist with InfoAction, Vancouver Public Library’s fee-based information and research centre since 2001. She is experienced in researching a wide variety of subjects, with a focus on business and legal information. Patti has years of experience offering training and workshops in small business start-up and career exploration. She is a graduate of the Masters of Library and Information Studies program at UBC.

Seminar:  Start Smart Level 3 - Market Research

Make It Business profiles local people and companies that are leaders in management, technological innovation, human relations and business building. We also demonstrate how the latest products and technology can help organize and boost productivity at your workplace.